Sutter-Yuba County Biographies
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
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EVERETT E. GRAY, M.D.
In Dr. Gray, who for the past twelve years has been successfully practicing his
chosen profession in Marysville, we have an example of one who has made
exceptional preparations for his life�s work. He was born on his father�s ranch
in Sutter County, November 29, 1887, a son of William J. and Mary A. (Fortna)
Gray, natives of Illinois and Missouri, respectively. William J. Gray, a son of
James Gray, was born October 31, 1844, in Hancock County, Ill., and died October
23, 1899, at his home near Yuba City.
Born and reared in Scotland, Grandfather James Gray spent his early life in his
native country. Immigrating to the United States in 1829, he followed the trade
of a millwright in the East for several years, after which he followed the
pioneer�s trail westward to Iowa. Taking up land near Keokuk, he carried on
general farming for a time, and then removed to Hancock County, Ill., becoming a
pioneer settler of that place. He was living there during the intense
excitement caused by the swarming of the Mormons into that county, when on June
27, 1844, Joseph and Hiram Smith were killed by an infuriated mob in the
Carthage jail. James Gray subsequently took an active part in forcing the
entire Mormon population to leave the State. In 1855, with his family, he came
overland with ox teams to California, locating near Yuba City, where for a short
time he lived on rented land. Subsequently buying a squatter�s title to near-by
land, he began the improvement of a ranch; and meeting with well-deserved
success in his operations, he bought additional land, becoming owner of a
valuable farm of 800 acres. In addition to managing this, he also owned and
operated a threshing machine for many years. He was strong and active until his
death in 1868, at the age of sixty-four years. He was a Republican and a
Presbyterian. His wife, who was Miss Mary Carr, was born in Scotland,
immigrated to the United States, and died on the farm in the same year that he
died. Seven children were born of their union, William J., the father of our
subject, being the fifth in order of birth.
At the age of eleven years, after obtaining his early elementary education in
the district schools of Hancock County, Ill., William J. Gray came with his
parents to Sutter County, and in the years that followed assisted in the labors
incident to improving a farm. On the death of his parents he inherited 160
acres of the home ranch, and began farming on his own account. He subsequently
bought adjoining land, including 160 acres inherited by his brother Robert, and
at his death was owner of 400 acres of fine land, on which he made improvements
of value. On December 1, 1873, he was married to Miss Mary A. Fortna, a native
of Missouri, daughter of Stephen R. Fortna. In 1843 David Fortna, grandfather
of Mrs. Gray, settled in Illinois, where he resided until his death in 1860, at
the age of sixty years. In 1860 Stephen R. Fortna came to California, settling
two and a half miles southwest of Yuba City, where he filed a homestead claim
and afterward bought eighty acres adjoining, on which he carried on general
farming until his death in June, 1892. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gray seven
children were born: Luella E., deceased; Gertrude Viola; William Jackson; Albert
D.; Everett E., of this review; Lawrence, who died while in service during the
World War; and Evelyn, who died in infancy. William J. Gray was an active
Republican, and for a number of years served as school trustee. He was a member
of Yuba City Lodge No. 185, I.O.O.F.
The elementary education of Everett E. Gray was obtained in the Yuba City
grammar schools and the Marysville High School, from which he was graduated in
1907. He then entered Cooper Medical College in San Francisco, which became a
part of Stanford University in 1907, and was graduated with the class of 1911,
with the degree of M.D. He then located in Marysville and opened offices, and
here he has since remained in the practice of his profession. Dr. Gray served
for one year during the World War at Camp Kearney, at the base hospital,
entering as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps, U.S.A., and being later
commissioned a captain.
The marriage of Dr. Gray united him with Miss Phyllis L. Harrison, a native of
England; and they are the parents of one son, Everett Edward, Jr. Dr. Gray is a
member of the County and State Medical Societies, and the American Medical
Association. Fraternally, he belongs to Marysville Lodge No. 783, B.P.O.E., and
to the Nu Sigma Nu fraternity in San Francisco.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 814